A clinical study of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen-induced asthma.
BACKGROUND
Grass and birch pollens are known to induce asthma. However there are few reports about other pollen-induced asthma. Japanese cedar is the most common allergen in rhinitis in Japan but is controversial on whether it can provoke asthma.


METHODS
To clarify Japanese cedar pollen-induced asthma, we studied adult patients who were sensitized only to the Japanese cedar (CAP-RAST > = 2) and had symptoms of asthma during the cedar season. We defined cedar asthma as a patient who satisfied the 2 criteria mentioned above.


RESULTS
We found 6 adult asthma patients who fulfilled the two criteria. Five patients suffered from cedar pollinosis in addition to asthma, and 1 patient had no pollinosis. The cedar pollinosis preceded asthma in 3 cases and occurred at almost the same time in the other 2 cases. Pulmonary function was normal in these cases (FEV 1%, mean +/- SD, 76.5 +/- 10%), with a high threshold value in the non-specific airway hypersensitivity test (Ach-PC20, 2,696 to 20,000 microg/ml, 9294 +/- 2) and low total IgE (101 +/- 86 IU/ml). In the allergen provocation test, 3 subjects showed both an immediate and late asthmatic reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that Japanese cedar pollen could provoke not only pollinosis but also asthma in adults.
Maeda
Yuji
Y
Clinical Center of National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan. y-maeda@sagamihara-hosp.gr.jp
Akiyama
Kazuo
K
Shida
Takao
T
D000328:Adult; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D032485:Cryptomeria / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012621:Seasons; D012882:Skin Tests; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010936:Plant Extracts